Head of Industrial Process Engineering

Thales Group; Templecombe, Cheadle; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus up to 12%

Car allowance

Half day each Friday

Annual leave 201 hours (+ pro rata)

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Thales Group is seeking a Head of Industrial Process Engineering for the UK Industrial Centre of Competence, based in Templecombe with hybrid on-site requirements. You will lead a multi-site engineering team, shape industrial strategy, and drive continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

The role demands security clearance and experience in regulated environments. You will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Programmes and Supply Chain to align processes, tools, and

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in complex manufacturing/engineering environments.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and deliver large-scale industrial improvements.
• Strong knowledge of lean methodologies and continuous improvement techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Industrial Process Engineering teams across multiple UK sites, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and inclusive culture.
• Define and implement industrial strategies, processes and capability development plans that improve operational efficiency, competitiveness and manufacturing readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, lean manufacturing practices and industrial transformation projects across the business.
• Act as the industrial authority at programme reviews and bid gates, ensuring robust industrialisation, production readiness and cost-effective delivery solutions.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure industrial capabilities, resources and performance support business objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Industrial engineering

Stakeholder management

ERP / MRP / MES

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ERP

MRP

MES

Job description

## Head of Industrial Process EngineeringApply: On-Site: Templecombe: Full time: Posted Today: R0339738Location: Templecombe, United KingdomThales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.**Head of Industrial Process Engineering****Hybrid working arrangement:** minimum 4 days a week on site **Working hours:** Full-time Monday – Friday. 37 hours per week**Location:** Templecombe (with occasional travel to Cheadle and other UK sites set at 10%)We are looking for a **Head of Industrial Process Engineering** to lead and develop our Industrial Process Engineering capability across the UK Industrial Centre of Competence. In this role, you will provide strategic leadership to a multi-disciplinary team, driving industrial excellence, continuous improvement and manufacturing transformation across a complex engineering and manufacturing environment.Working closely with senior leaders across Operations, Engineering, Programmes and Supply Chain, you will ensure that industrial processes, tools, people and infrastructure are aligned to support business growth, operational performance and product lifecycle delivery. You will play a critical role in shaping industrial strategy, improving competitiveness and embedding a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.**Core Benefits**On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes:* Performance-related bonus up to 12% of your salary* Car allowance* Half day every Friday* 201 hours annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)* 24 hours volunteering paid for* Private healthcare (Couples cover through Aviva)* Pension scheme* Life Assurance and Health Insurance* 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app* Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers* Gym membership discountsYou can read about some of our other benefits here: United Kingdom benefits | Thales Group**Under Water Systems (UWS)**Our purpose is to be the leading provider of underwater sensors and decision superiority, helping navies across the world keep our friends, families and all of us safe. We cover four sectors: Mine Counter Measures, Anti-Submarine warfare, Services and Future Capabilities.**Main Responsibilities**In this role you will:* Lead and develop Industrial Process Engineering teams across multiple UK sites, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and inclusive culture.* Define and implement industrial strategies, processes and capability development plans that improve operational efficiency, competitiveness and manufacturing readiness.* Drive continuous improvement initiatives, lean manufacturing practices and industrial transformation projects across the business.* Act as the industrial authority at programme reviews and bid gates, ensuring robust industrialisation, production readiness and cost-effective delivery solutions.* Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure industrial capabilities, resources and performance support business objectives.**Experience & Skills**We are looking for someone who can bring:* Significant leadership experience within complex manufacturing, industrial or engineering environments.* Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering large-scale industrial improvement or transformation programmes.* Strong knowledge of lean methodologies, continuous improvement techniques and industrial toolsets such as ERP, MRP and MES systems.* Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across all organisational levels.* A degree in an engineering, manufacturing or related discipline.Experience across the full product lifecycle, defence manufacturing environments, or highly regulated industries would be highly advantageous.**Security Clearance Requirement: UK Eyes Only:**Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered.To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.